PRC Spring Banquet Set for March 10th

By Keith Thorn

At the Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater St. Louis (PRC) we praise the Lord for the tremendous growth we saw in 2004! The number of first time clients increased by 92% and ultrasounds offered increased to approximately 500, showing an increase of 132%! PRC saw exceptional growth in all service areas last year.

While the number of clients served through PRC has increased dramatically, financial support has yet to catch up to the levels needed to continue these exceptional growth numbers. PRC relies on the support of churches and individual donors just like you to reach thousands of young mothers, fathers, and teens with truth and hope.

You can help PRC extend its reach across the metro St. Louis region by: Bringing a friend to the PRC Annual Spring Banquet March 10th, committing to pray for the ministry of PRC, prayerfully considering a special financial gift to PRC, and prayerfully considering volunteer service with PRC.

On March 10th, PRC will hold its Annual Spring Banquet fund raising dinner at the beautiful Windows Off Washington banquet facility located at 701 N. 15th Street in downtown St. Louis. This year’s special guest speaker will be Greg Johnson, Assistant Pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis and author of The World According to God: A Biblical View of Culture, Work, Science, Sex & Everything Else (InterVarsity Press, 2002).

The focus of every PRC fund raising event is fund raising. The PRC Annual Campaign for 2005 is $1.5 million. With expenses of approximately 1.5 million dollars a year to operate PRC’s six regional centers, four resource programs, and 24-hour hotlines, tax-deductible donations are the only thing that make it happen. PRC receives no local, state or federal government funding.

So, what is this money used for? Every PRC facility is equipped to help women in pregnancy crisis situations by providing pregnancy testing; ultrasounds (so they can actually see their babies and hopefully change their minds about aborting them); tangible resources (such as baby clothing, cribs and car seats); and highly trained counselors who comfort, advise and provide them with referrals to outside agencies for adoption, legal, and medical services. PRC also offers special programs such as Best Choice℠, our abstinence based educational outreach program; Pregnancy Loss℠, to help those dealing with the loss of a child; and Mentoring Men℠, a program designed specifically for men involved in crisis pregnancy situations. All of these programs and services are provided at no cost to those in need.

At the same time the physical needs of those they assist are being met, PRC also addresses the most important aspect of helping them -- their spiritual well being. Everyone who walks through our doors is offered the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ through the ministering of the Gospel. That means that we are not only saving the lives of innocent pre-born children, but the lives of mothers and fathers who may not know Christ as their personal Savior as well.

None of this work however, would be possible without the much needed financial support of the Christian community. With two primary fund raising events -- the March 18th Spring Banquet that kicks off the year for the PRC and our annual Walk4Life, which will be held on May 7th, now is the time to start praying and making plans regarding what you might be lead to contribute. You might also wish to contact Christian owned-businesses and talk to your pastor or priest and ask them to encourage your congregation to attend and contribute as well.

The cost to attend PRC’s March 10th Spring Banquet is only $25 and reservations can be made by contacting Megan Diel at (314) 783-3040 Ext. 227 or e-mailing her at MeganDiel@prcmo.net. Seating is limited to about 500 people so make your reservations early. If you are unable to attend, donations can also be mailed to: PRC, 4331 Lindell, St. Louis, MO 63108 and remember, all contributions are tax-deductible.

PRC’s slogan is “Real Help with Real Answers.” I pray that this year the Christian community will really answer PRC’s call for real help by actively and prayerfully becoming willing to be financially engaged in reaching thousands of teens and young pregnant girls with the healing Gospel.

Keith Thorn is the Director of Development and Marketing for the Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater St. Louis and can be reached by calling (314) 783-3040 Ext 225 regarding other gift giving opportunities. For volunteer opportunities call Kitty Hannibal at (314) 783-3040 Ext 245. Medical volunteers may call Sarah Oldham RN, at (314) 783-3040 Ext 241.